2017 Team Alberta 17U Men (born in 2000 or later) and 18U Men (born in 1999 or later)
Note: The updated 16-month age categories do not apply for the Team Alberta program. Overage athletes are not eligible to compete in the younger age category
The Development of a Physical Profile
The goals of our program cannot necessarily be met by simply examining the most skilled athletes at each level. Identified athletes need to have the size and athleticism that are essential for success at the higher levels. Volleyball skills can be further refined as athletes get exposure and practice within our sport.
Our High Performance Committee has researched and evaluated physical testing results from numerous sources to understand the base physical performance levels that athletes should possess for continued success in our sport.
17U Male Team Alberta Athlete- Physical Profile (with recommended standards)
18U Male Team Alberta Athlete- Physical Profile (with recommended standards)
Please note: These standards are not the sole factor in athlete identification or selection. Athletes also need to demonstrate potential to be an elite athlete, a willingness to learn, a great attitude, decision making and leadership skills.
17U Identification/Program Pathway
- Club Coaches will receive an email asking for their athlete recommendations
- Recommended athletes will be invited to do the physical testing prior to Premier #1. The tests conducted will not impact athlete performance at Premier #1; conducted tests include standing reach, vertical jump (block, spike), T-test, 20 m sprint). Team Alberta coaches will receive a list of the athlete recommendations.
- Based on testing results and performance at Premier Events, athlete will be extended an offer to attend Team Alberta Selection Camps. Please note: If athletes are unable to attend testing, club coaches will have to provide their testing results prior to being invited to the Selection Camps. As of April 3, the first round of invitations have been sent to prospective athletes. Our coaches will still be actively evaluating athletes at Provincials and may decide to offer a few invitations to Selection Camp 2 afterwards (athletes only need to attend one Selection Camp to be considered for the team).
- Team Alberta Coaches will select 12 athletes and 2 alternates to join the Team Alberta 17U Summer Program.
17U Key Dates for 2017 (Dates and locations may be subject to change):
- January: Club Coaches receive request for Athlete Recommendations
- February 3: Recommended Athletes attend evening physical testing
- April 8: 17U Selection Camp #1 (Edmonton)
- May 27 & 28: 17U/18U Selection Camp #2 (Calgary)
- July 5: Athletes Arrive in Edmonton
- July 6-16: Team Alberta Training (Edmonton)
- July 16: Travel to Competition (TBA)
- July 23: Return from Competition (TBA)
17U Coaching Staff
2017 17U Head Coach: Keegan Kuhr
- 2015-16 ACAC Men’s Volleyball North Division Coach of the Year
- Head Coach at Keyano College (2013 – Present)
- ASDC Trainer and Be Fit For Life Coordinator
- Team Alberta 16U Men’s Head Coach 2013
- Head Coach- Team Alberta North 2012
- NLVC club coach 2006-2015
- Played ACAC volleyball with Keyano College Huskies & SAIT Trojans (CCAA Silver 2010)
- Certified Fitness Trainer, Certificate in Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles
Assistant Coach: Jordan Taylor
- Assistant coach with the NAIT OOKS Men’s Volleyball program since 2014.
- FOG Volleyball Club Coach- finished 4th at nationals in 2014, winning Provincial Championships both in 2015 and 2016, as well as winning Best of the West Championship in 2016.
- Jordan has coached both in the Alberta Winter Games (2016) and with Team Alberta Program the last three years, specifically assistant coaching the 16U Boys team that won Silver at Western Elites in 2014, Silver at NTCC in 2015, and Bronze at NTCC in 2016.
- Played ACAC volleyball with the Kings University Eagles and the Augustana Vikings
- Jordan graduated from U of A: Augustana with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Sport Studies and is currently NCCP Level 2 certified.
17U Team Alberta Roster
| Uniform # | Athlete Name | Position |
| Ayden Rust | Middle | |
| Cameron Kern | Setter | |
| Greg Kaliel | Middle | |
| Jayden Hiebert | Outside Hitter | |
| Micheal Ingstrup | Outside Hitter | |
| Mitchel Gorman | Outside Hitter | |
| Noah Campbell | Outside Hitter | |
| Noah Robertson | Outside Hitter | |
| Ross Bishop | Middle | |
| Ryan Adams | Outside Hitter | |
| Sam Elgert | Setter | |
| Tanner Piers | Middle | |
| Brody Kopec (alternate) | Outside Hitter | |
| Keenan Koss (alternate) | Middle |
18U Identification/Program Pathway
- Based on testing results and performance at 2016 Premier Events, athlete will be extended an offer to attend Team Alberta Selection Camp #1. Athletes invited to Selection Camp #1 will not necessarily be invited to Selection Camp #2.
- Club Coaches will receive an email asking for additional athlete recommendations in January
- Recommended athletes will be invited to do the physical testing prior to Premier #1. The tests conducted will not impact athlete performance at Premier #1; conducted tests include standing reach, vertical jump (block, spike), T-test, 20 m sprint). Team Alberta coaches will receive a list of the athlete recommendations.Please note: If athletes are unable to attend testing, club coaches will have to provide their testing results prior to being invited to the Selection Camps. As of April 3, the first round of invitations have been sent to prospective athletes. Our coaches will still be actively evaluating athletes at Provincials and may decide to offer additional invitations after Provincials concludes.
- Based on testing results and performance at Premier Events, athlete will be extended an offer to attend Team Alberta Selection Camp #2.
- Team Alberta Coaches will select 12 athletes and 2 alternates to join the Team Alberta 18U Summer Program.
18U Key Dates for 2017 (Dates and locations may be subject to change):
- November- Athletes will received an invite to Selection Camp #1
- December 17 &18 - 18U Selection camp #1 (Edmonton)
- January: Club Coaches receive request for additional Athlete Recommendations
- February 3: Recommended Athletes attend evening physical testing
- May 27 & 28: 17U/18U Selection Camp #2 (Calgary)
June 3-4: Team Training Weekend. Cancelled.- July 5th (morning): Athletes Arrive in Edmonton
- July 5th - July 15: Team Alberta Training (Edmonton)
- July 15: Travel to USA High Performance Championships (Fort Lauderdale, Florida). Athletes require a passport!
- July 18-22: USA High Performance Championships (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- July 23: Return to Alberta
- July 31 or August 1: Team Alberta Training (Calgary)
- August: 5- 13: Canada Summer Games (Winnipeg, MB)
- August 13: Return from Canada Summer Games
Canada Games Information:
All ticket packages, individual sport passes, medal competition and Opening and Closing Ceremonies tickets for the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba are now on sale through Ticketmaster. The Closing Ceremonies will take place Sunday, August 13, 2017, at the Investors Group Field.
The preliminary sport schedule overview is available at canadagames.ca/2017.To purchase tickets visit ticketmaster.ca.
Parents and family members of athletes are encouraged to purchase their tickets early, especially for the medal rounds, so that they will not be disappointed. Accommodations should also be booked as soon as possible. For more information, go to http://www.2017canadagames.ca/en/content/visit-winnipeg
18U Coaching Staff
2017 18U Co-Coach: Brock Davidiuk
- 2012 - Present: Associate Coach – University of Alberta Golden Bears (U Sports Silver & Bronze Medal)
- 2011-2015: Assistant Coach – University of Alberta Golden Bears (2-Time U Sports Champion)
- 2013 - Present: Team Alberta Coach
- 2016: Youth National Team Selects Coach
- 2014-2015: Junior National Team Assistant Coach
- VCCE Edmonton Lead Coach & Adminstrator
- Master's in Coaching Degree from the University of Alberta
- Former Team Canada Setter (12 years), Former Professional Athlete (France & Germany)
- Canada Games 2001: Silver Medal with Team Alberta as an athlete.
2017 18U Co-Coach: Brad Poplawski
- Head Coach of the MacEwan University Griffins men's volleyball team (2011-present)
- Assistant coach with University of Alberta for 4 seasons. Won 2 CIS National Championships (2008 & 2009).
- Assistant coach with Team Canada Men's Junior National Team for 4 summer (2010-2013). Went to 2 FIVB Jr. World Championships, 2011 in Brazil and 2013 in Turkey.
- Master's in Coaching Degree from the University of Alberta (2012).
Canada Games - 18U Team Alberta Roster
| Uniform # | Athlete Name | Position |
| Caleb Funk | Middle | |
| Caleb Weiss | Setter | |
| Colm Guyn | Setter | |
| Hunter Stewart | Outside Hitter | |
| Jackson Brennan | Setter | |
| Jesse Elser | Outside Hitter | |
| Liam Huth | Middle | |
| Luis Lange | Middle | |
| Mathias Elser | Outside Hitter | |
| Matthew Neaves | Outside Hitter | |
| Mitchell Newman | Outside Hitter | |
| Reece Lehman | Middle | |
| Ryan Zachary | Outside Hitter |
Financial Assistance Program
Athletes in financial need can apply to Volleyball Alberta for assistance via the Hugh Hoyles Scholarship Fund.
Below is a list of other scholarships, grants, and programs that athletes may apply for:
- Kid Sport Alberta: KidSport is a national not-for-profit organization that provides financial assistance for registration fees and equipment to kids aged 18 and under
- Kid Sport Elite Performance Grant: The KidSport Elite Performance Grant was created to provide financial assistance to athletes in Alberta who have been recognized at a provincial or national team level.
- Stacey Levitt Scholarship: The Stacey Levitt Women and Sport Scholarship is in memory of a very special 18 year old woman who was struck down by a car while she was jogging on Aug. 30, 1995.
- JumpStart: Jumpstart funding helps families that need a financial hand with registration, equipment and/or transportation costs.
For more information on the Team Alberta program, please contact Diane Bugler at dbugler@volleyballalberta.ca or call 403-202-6540